[Roughneck]

Our local high schools just replaced "fat-causing" coke machines with cappucino machines. . . they should have made PE mandatory again instead.

[TXBubba]

The reason can be traced to multiple factors: households with two working parents, lack of exercise, excessive snacking, driving instead of walking or biking, and parents' fear of letting children play alone in neighborhoods and parks.

Well, at least they got those right. I totally agree with the "play alone" thing. As a kid I would ride my bike all over the neighborhood. My friends and I would whine when it was getting dark and our parents were calling us in for baths etc. Would I think of letting my kids do that? With all the crimes against children everywhere? No way. We have to find an organized sport or make sure our kids are supervised at all times at the park etc.

Also, I did watch a lot of TV growing up. But I didn't have the computer to park in front of either. It is up to the parents to limit couch potato time and snacks.

[BMiles2112]

"There's no vaccine," Patterson said. "There's no simple answer. It's not like with smoking, where you just quit. You have to eat.
There's a vaccine. It is a simple answer. Feed them right, send them outside, limit TV and computer time.